Djokovic labels Olympic gold as “the biggest sport success” in his career
Novak Djokovic explains just how much winning Olympic gold against Carlos Alcaraz meant to him on Sunday
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It was clear that winning gold at the Olympics Games mattered to Novak Djokovic when he fell to the ground after blazing a forehand winner past Carlos Alcaraz to win the gold medal match 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in Paris on Sunday.
Speaking to the media after his victory, the Serbian has revealed just how much it meant.
“I thought that the 2012 opening ceremony in London – carrying the flag for my country at the Olympic Games – is the best feeling that an athlete can have,” Djokovic began.
“Until today. This kind of supersedes everything that I imagined, that I hoped I could experience, and that I could feel.”
Djokovic has accrued a record-breaking resume in tennis, winning more Grand Slams and holding the world No 1 spot for longer than any other man. His failure to win Olympic gold in four attempts was the one glaring hole in his list of achievements.
“The fact that I won the bronze in the first Olympics Games and ever since then, failed to win the medal… Played three out of four Olympic Games [and made] the semi-finals, and couldn’t overcome that obstacle,” Djokovic explained, giving context to the gravity of his victory.
“Then now, at age 37, with a 21-year-old that is probably the best player in the world right now, playing incredible tennis,” he continued.
“When I take everything in consideration, this probably is the biggest sporting success I’ve had in my career.”
